17936505. OSCILLATOR CALIBRATED TO A MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM (MEMS) RESONATOR-BASED OSCILATOR simplified abstract (TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED)

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OSCILLATOR CALIBRATED TO A MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM (MEMS) RESONATOR-BASED OSCILATOR

Organization Name

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED

Inventor(s)

BICHOY Bahr of ALLEN TX (US)

YOGESH Ramadass of SAN JOSE CA (US)

OSCILLATOR CALIBRATED TO A MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM (MEMS) RESONATOR-BASED OSCILATOR - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17936505 titled 'OSCILLATOR CALIBRATED TO A MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM (MEMS) RESONATOR-BASED OSCILATOR

Simplified Explanation

The clock circuit described in the patent application includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), a frequency-locked loop (FLL), and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator-based oscillator, all interconnected through a multiplexer.

  • The clock circuit comprises a VCO with a control input and a first clock output, an FLL with an FLL input and a control output, and a MEMS resonator-based oscillator with a second clock output.
  • A multiplexer is used to select between the first clock output from the VCO and the second clock output from the MEMS resonator-based oscillator, with the output connected to the FLL input.

Potential Applications

The technology described in this patent application could be applied in:

  • Precision timing applications
  • Communication systems
  • Test and measurement equipment

Problems Solved

This technology helps address the following issues:

  • Achieving accurate and stable clock signals
  • Synchronizing different clock sources
  • Reducing phase noise in clock circuits

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include:

  • Improved accuracy in timekeeping
  • Enhanced synchronization capabilities
  • Reduced jitter and phase noise in clock signals

Potential Commercial Applications

The potential commercial applications of this technology could be in:

  • Telecommunications equipment
  • Data centers
  • Aerospace and defense industries

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology could be the use of traditional crystal oscillators in clock circuits, which may not offer the same level of precision and stability as the combination of VCO, FLL, and MEMS resonator-based oscillator described in the patent application.

Unanswered Questions

How does the selection process in the multiplexer work to switch between the clock outputs?

The patent application does not provide detailed information on the specific mechanism or criteria used for selecting between the clock outputs in the multiplexer.

What are the potential challenges or limitations of integrating a MEMS resonator-based oscillator in the clock circuit?

The patent application does not address any potential drawbacks or obstacles that may arise from incorporating a MEMS resonator-based oscillator in the clock circuit.


Original Abstract Submitted

A clock circuit includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) having a control input and a first clock output. The clock circuit includes a frequency-locked loop (FLL) having an FLL input and a control output, the control output coupled to the control input. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator-based oscillator has a second clock output. A multiplexer has a first multiplexer input, a second multiplexer input, a selection input, and a multiplexer output. The first multiplexer input is coupled to the first clock output. The second multiplexer input is coupled to the second clock output. The multiplexer output is coupled to the FLL input.